Charlie Adam feels Allan McGregor ‘saved’ Rangers in a second successive Europa League fixture following his penalty save against Red Star Belgrade, speaking on BBC Sportsound.
The Gers welcomed the Serbian side to Ibrox on Thursday in the first-leg of their last 16 tie. Red Star booked their knockout round place by finishing top of their group ahead of Braga. While Rangers overcame German giant Borussia Dortmund in the knockout round play-offs.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side stunned Europe by winning 4-2 at the Westfalenstadion in February before finishing the job in Glasgow. But Adam notes McGregor had a crucial role in edging the Bundesliga powerhouse after denying Julian Brandt whilst Rangers led 1-0.
James Tavernier, like in the first-leg, had broken the deadlock for Rangers against Borussia Dortmund. But Brandt sniffed a chance to silence a bouncing Ibrox straight away, only for McGregor to come out on top. And again, the Gers needed the stopper against Red Star.
Adam feels ‘unbelievable’ McGregor ‘saved’ Rangers vs Red Star
A third Europa League fixture in a row for Rangers saw a third deadlock breaking goal for Tavernier as McGregor and co welcomed Red Star Belgrade to Glasgow on Thursday night.
Alfredo Morelos only needed four-minutes to double the Gers’ first-leg last 16 lead, too. But Ryan Jack soon offered the Serbian side a route back into the tie when he pulled Mirko Ivanic down in the box. Aleksandr Katai stepped up for the spot-kick, but it was not to be.
Katai struck hard and low at McGregor’s net, and it seemed set the winger would draw Red Star within a goal of Rangers. Yet the 40-year-old refused to be beaten and flung himself to the ground and got a strong hand behind the 23-goal attacker’s fierce strike from 12-yards.
McGregor enthralled former Rangers midfielder Adam with the importance of his Europa League penalty save against Red Star Belgrade’s Katai. Especially given the Scot has faced some questions over his position this season, like last month’s 2-2 draw with Motherwell.
“Not bad considering the criticism he had last week!” Adam said. “That’s a quality penalty but an unbelievable save. In the Dortmund second-leg, there was a moment where McGregor saved Rangers. He’s done it again tonight.”
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